Self tightening electrical connecter



April 24, 1934. R. R. MACDONALD SELF TIGHTENING ELECTRICAL CONNECTER Filed March 2. 1932 @du t MAYA ITO EY/S Patented Apr. 24, 1934 PATENT OFFICE SELF TIGHTENING ELECTRICAL CONNECTER Rob Roy MacDonald, Bayside, N. Y., assigner of one-half to Leo 0. Smith, Bayside, N. Y.

Application March 2, 1932, Serial No. 596,216

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to connecters for connecting electrical conduits together and embodies,more specically, an improved form of electrical connecter wherein the cooperating O connecting. elements are effectively connected by a simple movement comprising the axial interengagement of the elements.

Various connecters have been provided wherein the securing of the connecting elements thereof is effected by means of suitable clamping means which are independently operated. The present invention seeks to provide a connecter which is of such construction that an effective electrical connection is afforded by a simple connecting operation without requiring an additional operation to adjust or manipulate a securing mechanism.

An object of the invention is to provide an electrical connecter having cooperating terminals which are effectively secured in connected position during the movement thereof into engagement with each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connecter of the above character wherein movement of the cooperating elements 'thereof into engagement causes an action which forces the elements intimately into contacting relationship.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connecter wherein male and female members are adapted to be secured together, additional means being provided for forcing the members into intimate engagement during the connecting operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above character wherein a male connecting member is provided with a circular skirt formed as an annular cam to engage the female member and force the prongs thereof into intimate engagement with the male member.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan View, partly broken away, showing a connecter constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a View in end elevation, showing the connecter of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in section, taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a View in section, taken on line 4-4 ynection with the terminal block 10.

of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the above drawing, cooperating terminal blocks and 11 are shown as being provided each with a plurality of connecter ele- 60 ments. t will be understood, of course, that the specific number of connecter elements carrie'd by the blocks is of no consequence, any number from one to a plurality of connections being adapted for use in connection with the present 651 invention. The ends of two pairs of wiresl are to be connected together, a connecter formed with two sets of cooperating terminals being advantageously used and this particular form is illustrated in the above drawing. Terminal '10 block 1.0A is thus formed with a recess 12 which is adapted to receive the ends of Wires to be connected, and recesses 13 which are adapted to receive connecter elements 14, described in detail hereinafter.

The skirt 15 is secured to each connecter element 14 to facilitate the connection of the ends of the wires thereto. In order that the exposed parts of the terminals may be protected a cover plate 16 is provided, screws 17 serving to secure 80 the cover plate to the block 10. If desired, the portion of the cover plate 16 which lies above the recess 12 may be formed with downwardly extending teeth 18 to engage the insulation of the wires and facilitate the securing thereof within 85 the block 10.

Each connecter member 14 is formed with a shoulder 19 having an annular flange 20 projecting axially of the element 14. Concentric with the flange 20 is an outwardly tapering male con- 90 tacting member 21, the inner surface of the flange 20 tapering or curving toward the axis of the element 14, as indicated at 22.

The terminal block 11 is provided with recesses 12 and 13, cover plate 16, and projecting teeth 95 18 in a manner similar to that described in con- In order that one of the connecter members may be completely protected, the block 11 with projecting flanges 23 which are adapted to receive female 100 contacting elements will now be described.

Block 11 is adapted to receive the desired number of connecter elements 24, these elements being formed with extensions 25 to which sleeves 26 are secured by means of pins 27. Sleeves 26 105 are formed with female contacting members 28 which extend beyond the projection 25 and form recesses which are adapted to receive the male members 21. These members 28 are slotted as indicated at 29 and are formed with a tapered 110 lio internal surface 30 which causes the interior diameter of the member 28 to be` smaller at the outer extremity thereof than adjacent the member 25.

As the male and female members are advanced into engagement, the ends of the female members are sprung outwardly by the male members and then, during continued axial movement, into engagement. The ends of the member 28 engage the interior surface of the flange 20. Further movement into engagement causes the ends of the members 28 to be cammed down into intimate engagement with the sides of the male members and thus form an effective electrical contact.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawing, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A connecter comprising terminal members having cooperating male and female elements, the male element being tapered outwardly to a point of maximum diameter and the female element being tapered inwardly to a point of maximum diameter, and an annular flange mounted with the male element, said flange having a tapering surface to engage the female element and direct the same radially against the male element.

2. A connecter comprising terminal members having cooperating male and female elements, the male element being tapered outwardly to a point of maximum diameter and the female element being tapered inwardly to a point of maximum diameter, and an annular ange formed with a sloping cam face and mounted with the male element to engage the female element and direct the same radially against the male element.

3. A connecter comprising terminal members having cooperating male and female elements, the male element being tapered outwardly to a point of maximum diameter and the female element being slotted and tapered inwardly to a point of maximum diameter, and an annular flange formed with a sloping cam face surrounding and sloping toward the male element to engage the female element and direct the same radially against the male element.

ROB ROY MACDONALD. 

